The dwarf planets are a group of planets in our solar system that do not meet the requirements to be called a planet. As of right now, scientists have named 5 dwarf planets in our solar system Scientists theorize that there can be as many as 200 dwarf planets behind Pluto's orbit. So what exactly is the difference between a planet and a dwarf planet? For something to be called a planet, it needs to meet the following criteria © Itis in orbit around the sun © Has enough gravity to be a round shape © Has cleared its orbit of other objects The Kuiper Belt (pronounced Ky pur) is known as a donut shaped area beyond Neptune that contains icy bodies. Scientists think there may be millions of these icy objects in the Kuiper Belt. They are commonly referred to as Kuiper Belt Objects (KBO's) or trans-Neptunian Objects (TNO's). The Kuiper Belt is very similar to the asteroid belt. Both are areas in our solar system that might have been a planet if the situation was different. Since the Kuiper belt is so far away, scientists do not know much about it. But they do know that studying this area is scsi important for understanding the formation of our solar system.Ceres is the earliest discovered and smallest of the dwarf planets. Ceres is only 590 miles in diameter. If Earth were the size of a nickel, Ceres would be the size of a poppy seed. In fact, it is so small that it is classified as both a dwarf planet and an asteroid Located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, it is the only dwarf planet in the inner solar system. Ceres is also the only dwarf planet to be visited by a NASA spacecraft. Ceres rotates very quickly. One day on Ceres is only about 9 hours. This dwarf planet does not have any moons. Scientists are interested in this dwarf planet because they have found evidence of water vapor on it. One on Pluto is emul to 298 Earth years. www wn Pluto is probably the most well-known dwarf planet in our solar system, mostly because it was once considered to be a regular planet just like Earth. In 2006, scientists changed the definition of what a planet is, and Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet. Remember the criteria of a planet? Pluto actually crosses into Neptune's orbit, which makes it ineligible to be a planet. Its orbit is also tilted, making it even more unusual. With a diameter of under 1,500 miles, Pluto is smaller than Earth's moon. If Earth was the size of a nickel, Pluto would be the size of a popcorn kernel. Even though Pluto is small, it still has enough gravity to have 5 moons. Pluto rotates very slowly and takes 153 hours to make one full rotation. That is over 6 Earth days. O he Seice 2020> In 2003, scientists discovered Haumea and its two moons, Namaka and Hiiaka. One day on Haumea is only 3.9 hours. Scientists think its egg shape and fast rotation is likely from a collision with a large object. Haumea's diameter is just over 1,000 miles. If Earth was the size of a nickel, Haumea would be as big as a sesame seed In 2017, scientists discovered that Haumea has rings, making it the only dwarf planet to have them. In 2005, scientists discovered Makemake, (pronounced MAH key MAH key). This planet has a diameter of just under 1,000 miles. If Earth was the size of a nickel, Makemake would be the size of a mustard seed. Scientists think it may have one moon, but have not confirmed this yet. One day on Makemake is almost 23 hours. Makemake has a funny nickname! This planet originally was called "Easter Bunny", because it was discovered shortly after Easter. 500 Earth years! © Ane Sivee 2020Eris UAT X0le(e(-XX0) MIA) MCIN CMe COCR The farthest recognized dwarf planet is Eris. Eris is about the same size as Pluto with a diameter of just under 1,500 miles. It completes one rotation every 25.9 hours. Since it is so far away, scientists do not have a lot of information about this dwarf planet. Eris has one moon named Dysnomia. Eris’ orbit is so irregular that at times it crosses into the path of Neptune and Pluto. Eris takes 557 Earth to travel around sun. Review the Dwarf Planets 1. The dwarf planets cannot meet the requirements of being a planet. What are the requirements to being a planet? 2. Pluto used to be a planet but then was reclassified to a dwarf planet. What is the reason Pluto cannot be considered a planet? 3. Name each dwarf planet and give an interesting fact about it. 4, One day on Haumea is only about 4 hours. If we lived there, how do you think this would affect our lives? How would we have to adjust our schedule? © Ange Seiace 2020